Kyoto.
It is a city in Japan where the emperor resided for a long time and which functioned as the capital.
This city is laid out in a grid pattern, but the interior and exterior were referred to as [different terms].洛中Rakuchu洛外Rakugai
This, in a visible form , effectively promotes the stratification of the residents.直截direct
Center and periphery. City and countryside. Citizens and farmers. Such divisions, and the spiritual discriminatory attitudes that are difficult to overcome.
Within the city of Kyoto lies the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor resides.里内裏Satodai
From the very beginning, Kyoto was "the residence of the emperor," and the imperial palace served as the ideological center of everything.宮処Miyako
And at the heart of the temporary imperial palace are the ancient Ritsuryo laws and the various regulatory laws based on them.
Therefore, even if only nominally, complex and troublesome rules concerning ownership, based on the Ritsuryo legal system, were applied to every piece of land and building in the city of Kyoto.
Therefore, even during the turbulent Sengoku period, military camps were rarely set up in the city of Kyoto.
While street fighting often took place within the city limits, the main headquarters were usually located outside the city.
I'm also outside of Kyoto right now.
The Oda army, led by Nobunaga, had its headquarters at Tofuku-ji Temple, the fourth-ranked of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto.
In modern society, Tofuku-ji Temple is often perceived as being located within the city of Kyoto.
However, in reality, urbanization in this area only began during the Edo period when the Kamo River was being developed.
During the Sengoku period (Warring States period), it was still considered to be outside the capital.
"My brother-in-law... I am deeply grateful for your decision to personally take up your post."
The Oda army is stationed on the grounds of Tofuku-ji Temple.
In the main camp, which had the strongest security, Nobunaga was gripping my hand tightly.
It seems he hadn't anticipated that I would be the commander of these reinforcements.
Unlike previous battles against monsters, this is a battle between armies.
Moreover, for the Asai family, this was essentially an expedition disguised as reinforcements—they probably didn't expect the head of the family himself to come to such a dangerous place.
"No, even though it's out of obligation, Lord Nobunaga is my older brother. As family, as brothers... it would be morally wrong not to help him."
"Thank you. My soldiers will be pleased as well."
"However, just between us... from the beginning, I've simply intended to do my brother-in-law a favor."
"what...?"
"No, if we do Oda a favor here... I think you might be able to meet Manpukumaru and Chacha, who are your brother-in-law's nephew and niece, as well as Ichi, again."
"nothing...?"
"I'm thinking of having a dinner party in Nagahama with my family, my brother-in-law, and Lady Kicho. So, I figured if I did him a favor here, he wouldn't be able to refuse, that was my calculation..."
Suddenly, Nobunaga laughed. He looked more amused than ever before.
"Hahaha... you fool. You intend to use the campaign to march on Kyoto, which is meant to rule the world, for such private family matters?"
"At least for me."
As I said that, I looked at Nobunaga, who continued to laugh.
"I don't know about the other factions, but I have absolutely no intention of expanding my territory any further. Even if I were to expand my territory recklessly, I wouldn't be able to manage it with my abilities. Above all, I have no choice but to focus on keeping the Mizuchi in check."
"I see, I see... Well, that's amusing. It's been a long time since I've laughed like that."
Nobunaga suddenly turned his sharp gaze towards me.
"Does my brother-in-law say he doesn't want the land in Yamashiro?"
"To put it simply, yes. There's no point in the Asai clan possessing land in Yamashiro. Our Omi province can reach Kyoto quickly. Therefore, it would be crucial for the Oda clan, based in Owari and Mino, to control Yamashiro."
"Indeed, my brother-in-law is truly a rare exception in these turbulent times... He has no desires."
I shook my head, denying my brother-in-law's admiration.
"No, I do have desires. My principal wife, Ichi, and my concubine, Osamu, whom my brother-in-law also knows, and my children. I want anything that will allow my family to live happily, and I want my northern Omi to become a paradise unparalleled in the world."
"You fool, that's not what I meant."
Nobunaga said that and laughed again.
He seemed relieved that the seed of doubt that had been sprouting somewhere in his mind—namely, the speculation that the Asai family might be trying to expand their influence in the Kinai region by taking advantage of the Oda family's march to Kyoto—had been extinguished.
However, the fact that I was trying to use this military deployment for political purposes was correct.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Asai family has done a considerable favor for the Oda family since the falconry expedition.
And now that I, the head of the Asai family, have personally come here, the Oda family's retainers must surely feel a sense of unity, a sense of shared destiny, within the Asai family.
Moreover, I am a man who can control the mizuna, a mythical creature worshipped in the outskirts of Omi and in the Kinki and Chubu regions.
Asai Nagamasa, a man unparalleled in his time, is cooperating in the campaign to march on Kyoto without expecting anything in return.
Now, a strange situation has arisen where the Oda family, which is superior in practical and practical terms, is dependent on the Asai family in a spiritual sense.
(From now on, the Oda family will undoubtedly grow into the largest power in Japan... and their military, political, and economic power will far surpass that of the Asai family. At that time, the Asai family must consider how they can survive. In the end, they will have to keep pace with the Oda family, but they must maintain a mental advantage so that they can resist when they are forced to do something unreasonable.)
While I was thinking these things, Nobunaga had a cheerful smile on his face.
At least for now, he trusts me—and the Asai family.
My job is to maintain this situation for as long as possible.
"But that's fine. I already know that my brother-in-law is the kind of man who would say such things. He is a selfless and honest general, and I'm sure my Oda soldiers and officers recognize him that way as well. That's precisely why I trust him and can invite him to my side, since he has declared his intention to 'work for the sake of peace throughout the land.'"
"Stop it... Brother-in-law!"
I couldn't help but blush.
I will never forget that battle against the alliance of four families: the Rokkaku, Wakasa Takeda, Asakura, and Saito clans.
I realized that he had just thrown back the exact same words I had used to challenge Nobunaga back then.
Seeing me writhing in agony, Nobunaga smirked.
"That's fine, after all. You're the kind of man who can charm women on the battlefield. Those were the words of youthful exuberance."
"Whoa..."
"However, Shigeharu Takenaka... no, Osamu too—he looked like he'd been completely freed from his burden."
Currently, the Oda clan's army marching to Kyoto has mobilized 40,000 men.
When the local lords who were siding with Nobunaga and trying to ride the winning horse joined them, and combined with the Asai family's army, the total force would reach approximately 60,000.
And this time, the one by my side as the second-in-command of the Asai army is—Haruhime.
I was the only one invited to the Oda family's headquarters, but of course, Nobunaga was aware of her, his second-in-command.
"There used to be a certain shadow about him, but now that's gone. It seems my brother-in-law has managed to handle him well."
"..."
"It seems she hasn't had children yet, but that's fine. If a renowned military strategist is pregnant and unable to move, it will be quite a blow to the Asai clan."
Nobunaga clapped his hands together after saying that much.
It looks like they're about to get down to business.
"And I have a request for my brother-in-law, who has come as reinforcements."
"Anything you need, brother-in-law."
When I responded that way, Nobunaga nodded.
"To the west of here lies a flatland castle called Shoryuji Castle. Although it's a small base meant for soldiers to hold out in... I would really like you to capture this castle."
"Regarding the siege..."
I couldn't help but mutter that to myself.
This was because, although he had experience in defensive battles and open field battles, he had never been on the side that attacked a castle.
It was all a consequence of not engaging in any active foreign campaigns—but Nobunaga seemed to have sensed the anxiety in my voice. He waved his hand as if to say he hadn't said enough and continued.
"However, we're not suggesting we leave it solely to the Asai family. We intend to allocate 20,000 troops from the Oda army as well."
"Is it really that bad...?"
"Yes, Shoryuji Castle is an important defensive stronghold for the Settsu region. Unless we capture it, we cannot launch an offensive against the various forces that dare to resist us."
So, Nobunaga said.
"There are some people I would very much like you to meet, my brother-in-law... Bring them here."
When my brother-in-law announced this, the man stationed at the main camp called in about three men who appeared to have been waiting outside the camp, and had them sit on benches.
"These men are unparalleled strategists, unmatched in the world."
Seeing my bewilderment at meeting these men for the first time, Nobunaga said with amusement:
"From left to right, we have Matsunaga Hisahide, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Lord Ukita Naoie. Lord Ukita is merely a guest, but... Hisahide and Mitsuhide will assist you in this attack on Shoryuji Castle. It would be best to get along with them."
My brother-in-law blurted out something that made me doubt my own ears.